"The truth is that this is the first post of the Valve Linux blog. This blog is where you can find the latest information from Valve about our Linux development efforts. Avoid the rumors and speculations that multiply on the Web. Instead, come to the source - a blog where people who are interested in Linux and open source game development can get the latest information on Valve's efforts in this arena. In this initial post, we'll introduce the team (and a bit of its history) and then give you a snapshot of what we're currently doing." Steam, Source, and Left 4 Dead 2 coming to Linux. We know why.

What I'd like to see is them to release a Linux gaming VM image as an ultimate way to fend off platform/version variability on Windows and Mac. Games actually have quite modest HW requirements - GPU, Audio, USB so visualising/tunnelling access to a tightly defined subset of HW sounds realistic.
They would have to kick Nvidia and Ati to deliver them updated quality linux drivers though.

What I'd like to see is them to release a Linux gaming VM image as an ultimate way to fend off platform/version variability on Windows and Mac. Games actually have quite modest HW requirements - GPU, Audio, USB so visualising/tunnelling access to a tightly defined subset of HW sounds realistic.
They would have to kick Nvidia and Ati to deliver them updated quality linux drivers though.

So while AMD is thinking about going bare metal on GPU's because DX costs too much emulation you think that another much heavier layer will be unnoticeable? You desperately want the modern pc beasts to perform like a Xbox360?

The games would be ported directly to Linux OpenGL while letting Windows pass through GPU access to LinuxVM, so (given proper CPU support) no additional SW layers.
Such a virtual console could ignite a sort of games ecosystem before they come out with the real HW on the market.